Tagged: DC
Laura Capicotto
Interning Abroad vs. Interning “Abroad”
Laura Capicotto
Summer 2015
I had the privilege to study in Dublin this past spring semester. It was a time I will never forget and always cherish. As cultured as my time in Europe made me, I do not believe it benefited me professionally. Similar to the DC program, students have an internship while in Dublin. However, the Dublin program places you in a position. The best you can do is cross your fingers and hope it applies to your major or interest in any way possible. I was placed in a small boutique firm that focused on lifestyle brands and products. As nice as the employees (and by employees I mean the boss and her two other interns) were, I quickly realized this was not going to be as much of a productive use of my time as I wanted. On an average day I would have about an hour of actual work to accomplish then I would be done for the day. However, it was all a learning experience: I learned that this was not the environment or type of work I would like to be involved with until the end of my days. I left Ireland on April 24th with a more clear vision of where I wanted my life to go. More
Meghan Durfee
Living as an Apolitical Hill Intern
By Meghan Durfee
Spring 2015
As a business student with zero interest in American politics (or anything politics-related really), you might think it bizarre that I chose to study abroad in Washington, DC. You might also be puzzled to learn that I intern on Capitol Hill for a congressman from my home state. Hopefully by the end of this post you will have a better understanding my motivations for doing so.
Alyssa Lodge
Music to My Ears
By Alyssa Lodge
Spring 2015
I love music—it is so special because it has the ability to evoke an indescribable feeling of inspiration, emotion, and hope that you can’t find in anything else. Recently, one of my hobbies has been finding singer/songwriter artists that have a lot of talent and not much recognition—I have found that some of the best artists are not those whose name appears in lights outside of a stadium.
Lucky for me, I have spent the semester in DC where one of its “claims to fame” is the music scene and I have been fortunate enough to stumble upon several wonderful artists while I have been here. The music and the atmosphere of the venues that I have come across compliment one another and make for quite the experience.
Alejandro Herreria
Culture: D.C. from the Eyes of a BU Student
By Alejandro Herreria
Spring 2015
When I first came to Washington, D.C. as part of the Boston University Study Abroad program, I was unsure what to expect as far as the culture. I really enjoyed the city the last time I visited but was unsure of how it would be living in a city known primarily for politics. Would I be the only one who didn’t know a lot about politics? Would the city’s charm wear off as I started to grow tired of political talk? These were honest questions that I had asked myself on the eight hour drive down from Massachusetts, which were all the more terrifying since I didn’t really know the answers.
Steve Sisto
How To Network As An Introvert
By Steve Sisto
Spring 2015
If you’re an introvert like me, then the idea of networking is absolutely terrifying. As an introvert, social interaction is already difficult. Why in the world would I want to go out of my way to meet new people and be social? I think I’ll just stay with my small group of friends, enclosed from everyone else… If only that were possible. The truth is that in D.C., networking is simply a part of life. For introverts like me, this is terrible news.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people! Photo courtesy of Shutterstock user Ulegundo
Devon King
Making your D.C. Bucket List
By Devon King
Spring 2015
When you first get to D.C. you’re going to feel overwhelmed—there’s so much to do here and you might only have one semester to do it. You’ll have to weigh your options to see what you should pay for, what’s 100% necessary to do, and what you wouldn’t mind missing out on. The best way to do this is a Bucket List, your must-do’s of D.C. Everyone will tell you what’s on their bucket list, but what do you quintessentially need to do? Here are my 16 suggestions:
- Visit all 17 Smithsonian Museums that are located in the Greater D.C. area. They’re all free, all interesting, and a great way to kill a Saturday afternoon.
- Go on a night tour of the monuments. It’s one thing to see them during the day, but it’s another to see them lit up, with fewer crowds. No matter the weather, you’ll enjoy this.
Photo Credit: Old Town Trolley Tours
Rebecca Reilly
What has encapsulated the Washington Experience thus far?
By Rebecca Reilly
Summer 2014
I could not wait to put on my American Flag socks.
I like to joke that I only came to DC for the patriotic apparel—I’m only half kidding. I was waiting for the Fourth of July this year for what seemed like forever and it came and went just as I expected! Independence Day in Washington made it even more socially acceptable to don the American flag socks and bow tie.
On the 4th of July in DC, tourists storm the streets of Washington, flowing down the sidewalks en route to the National Mall. The nearby hurricane has shaken no spirits; YOU CANNOT STOP AMERICA.
The Fourth of July is the epitome of the Washington experience; the levels of American spirit on this day are through the roof. The National Mall is the ultimate stretch of spirit on this day with family, friends, and lovers scattered across the grass with their blankets and picnics, waving the miniature American flag they bought from a vender on the sidewalk. Laughter and music are the sounds heard through the day as we all await the glorious firework display.
Boris Kong
How was your first month of your semester in Washington DC? How does it compare to the first few weeks of a semester on campus?
By Boris Kong
Summer 2014
The Washington DC summer program is one that will accelerate rapidly and end in a flash, which is why one should be carefully allocate one’s time while here. During the first couple weeks in the nation’s capital, most of our time was predominately spent exploring the city and understanding the areas around us. On the first day, even the area around Woodley Park, where the Residence Hall is located, seemed confusing. The first priority we needed to figure out was the location of restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacies in the nearby area. As the week progressed with orientation, we began to take the metro and Circulator bus out to other neighborhoods within the city. We learned to use the local public transportation pretty quickly and that allowed us to further expand beyond our local setting and truly get to know the city. Even getting to the BU office in DuPont Circle at first seemed like a hike, but as time passed, the entire area surrounding DuPont became somewhat of an extension of our territory in Woodley Park. In addition to improving our navigation skills in Washington, we had to quickly get acquainted with our work and academic schedules. The first week of orientation was filled with group events and we were given plenty of spare time to rest and relax. However, as our internships and classes began, our schedules started to rapidly fill up. While here, we’re tasked with working full-time Monday through Thursday during the day, while we take two courses at night meeting two-three times per week which leaves us with few nights off. The standard work schedule often runs from 9 am to 5 pm, with classes running from 6 to 9 pm. Making time to have dinner is a challenge, given the schedule—any free time is then taken up by focusing on one’s assignments and/or getting much needed rest at the end of every working day.
Meera Nayak
What is your favorite DC museum and why?
By Meera Nayak
Summer 2014
The Corcoran Gallery of Art
As I entered the rotunda of this beautiful building, Venus greeted me in a magnificent light display. The colors carried me up the stairs to the modern and contemporary art galleries where I recognized Rothko, witnessed Warhol’s take on Mao, and was blown away by Joan Mitchell’s nearly wall-to-wall oil on canvas. I got a taste of Washington’s minimalism—breaking the world down into its smallest bits, and then creating phenomenal pieces out of them.
Whether inside the House of Representatives or outside in the Wild West, I was taken on an American journey through “Visions of Place.” After indulging in some Ansel Adams photography, I finished with an escape to “An Intimate View” with the European collection. French Realism, British portraits, and interpretations of Italian architecture fill the golden frames. My orange pin will always remain a memento of these incredible private holdings.
Navraj Narula
What policy or issue are you most following while in Washington?
By Navraj Narula
Summer 2014
I am not a news junkie. You have every right to call me ignorant. I mean, I am here in Washington, D.C. and I walk past the man at the Woodley Park metro station trying to hand me a newspaper: “Sorry, sir, but I’d rather pair my morning coffee with fiction.” That was me during my first two weeks in this amazing, amazing city.
